Golf putter guide

ABSTRACT

An upright pedestal supports a pendulum arm for swinging about a horizontal pivot. A generally horizontal link is connected at one of its ends to the lower end of the arm by a pivot parallel to the first pivot for swinging relative to, and with, the arm. A connecting device detachably connects a putter to the other end of the link in a manner such that the putter head is caused to rock about, and also transversely of, the longitudinal axis of the link concurrently and to follow a predetermined path of swing with its striking face in proper position transversely of the path during approach, at the instant of impact, and during the follow-through, portions of the swing. During the rearward swing from impact position, the device constrains the club head and shaft to rotate about the shaft axis in a manner to cause the striking face to rock through a progressively increasing angle to its impact position transversely across the path of swing in a direction away from the player, and thereby to &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;open up&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; the striking face and to cause the arms and wrists of the player to move more naturally during the backswing. During approach the action is reversed and the arm and wrist movements are yieldably biased to assure proper impact with the ball.

United States Patent [191 Santoro et al.

[ 51 Feb. 27, 1973 GOLF PUTTER GUIDE [76] Inventors: Gerald C. Santoro, 11510 Winchester Drive; Glenn R. Sibert, 11550 Winchester Drive, both of Chardon, Ohio 45697 [22] Filed: Feb. 24, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 228,966

[52] U.S. Cl ..273/192 [51] Int. Cl. ..A63b 69/36 [58] Field of Search ..273/191, 192, 186

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,840,379 6/1958 Santoro ..273/192 3,232,623 2/1966 Abrams et al. ..273/192 X Primary ExaminerGeorge J. Marlo Attorney-John Harrow [57] ABSTRACT An upright pedestal supports a pendulum arm for swinging about a horizontal pivot. A generally horizontal link is connected at one of its ends to the lower end of the arm by a pivot parallel to the first pivot for swinging relative to, and with, the arm. A connecting device detachably connects a putter to the other end of the link in a manner such that the putter head is caused to rock about, and also transversely of, the longitudinal axis of the link concurrently and to follow a predetermined path of swing with its striking face in proper position transversely of the path during approach, at the instant of impact, and during the follow-through, portions of the swing. During the rearward swing from impact position, the device constrains the club head and shaft to rotate about the shaft axis in a manner to cause the striking face to rock through a progressively increasing angle to its impact position transversely across the path of swing in a direction away from the player, and thereby to open up the striking face and to cause the arms and wrists of the player to move more naturally during the backswing. During approach the action is reversed and the arm and wrist movements are yieldably biased to assure proper impact with the ball.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENHU Z W SHEET 2 BF 2 Emmi/WWW abcdefgh GOLF PUTTER GUIDE BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of Invention Golf training device for improving putting strokes.

2. Description of Prior Art The present device is an improvement on a prior art golf putter guide wherein a putter head is kept positioned so that at all times the striking face extends generally at a right angle across the path of the swing. Constraining the head to such positions imposes an unnatural resistance to the normal arm and wrist movement of the player on the backswing rearwardly from the impact position and on the forward swing from the rearmost backswing position to impact position. It does not permit the club face to open up; that is, to assume positions in which it slopes transversely of the path of swing rearwardly, and away from the player, and returns to the right angular relation as it approaches and passes impact position on the approach or forward swing.

In accordance with the present invention, the advantages of the prior golf club guide are retained and its disadvantages are eliminated. Further, the present structure is fabricated so that it is simpler and more economical to manufacture, and so that it may be detachably fastened to a conventional putter without requiring any changes in the structure of the putter itself.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description where reference is made to the drawing.

SUMMARY This putter guide and training device controls the head of the putter through the backswing and approach stroke so that on the backswing the head follows a path substantially that naturally effected by the arms, body, and wrists of the player yet, on the forward stroke, constrains the face of the club, just before and at the time of impact to become normal to a vertical plane extending along the linear path along which the ball is initially propelled.

The device is detachably connected to the conventional golf club and in operation gives a slight but noticeable yieldable resistance to deviation of the position of the head from that which is proper to propel the ball along the chosen straight path, yet, at the same time, it permits rocking of the club shaft about its axis and tilting of the club head so that the angle of the shaft can be changed relative to the ground and can accommodate itself to the physical structure of the particular player.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a putter guide and training device embodying the present invention, with a putter installed therein, viewed from the position at which the player addresses the ball;

FIG. 2 is a left side elevation of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken on the line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view, partly in section, showing parts of the guide which are adjacent to the putter shaft; and is taken as indicated by the line 5-5 in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic illustration showing the various positions of the head of the putter as it travels through its backswing, approach impact, and followthrough, as compared with the positions of the putter in the prior art during like travel.

Referring to the drawings, the guide comprises a base 1 on which is mounted a generally upright pedestal 2. The base 1 is adapted to rest on the ground, or on a horizontal surface, and to support the pedestal in upright position. For convenience in manufacture, the base 1 is preferably a block of wood and the pedestal is a length of conventional 2X4 timber. The pedestal 2 is fastened securely at its lower end to the base 1 so as to slope upwardly on a bias to the vertical toward the players position so that the upper end of its forward edge lies in the vertical plane at or forwardly from the forward edge of the base 1.

Mounted in suitable horizontal bearings 3 near the upper end of the pedestal 2 is a pendulum arm 4. For economy in manufacture, the pivotal connection of the arm with the bearings 3 may be provided by a bent-over upper portion 4a of the pendulum arm 4.

The axis of the bearings 3 is horizontal and the pendulum arm 4, when free, depends vertically from its bearing portion 4a. The arm 4 is thus constrained at all times to swing in a vertical plan normal to the axis of the bearings 3.

The lower end of the pendulum arm 4 when the pendulum arm is vertical, is relatively close to the ground; for example, about one inch above the ground level.

Connected to the lower end of the pendulum arm 4 is a suitable yoke 5 which is secured in fixed position thereto and which carries a pivot 6. The axis of the pivot 6 is horizontal and parallel to the axis of the bearings 3. A link arm 7 is connected to one of its ends by the pivot 6 to the arm 4.

Mounted on the other end of the arm 7, opposite from the pivot 6, is a clamp device for connecting the putter to the arm 7 so that it has a quasi-universal movement relative to the longitudinal axis of the arm 7. For this purpose, a yoke 10, having arms 10a, is mounted on this other end of the arm 7 for free rotation about the axis of the arm 7 and is held in substantially fixed axial position on the arm 7 by means of a pin 10b operating in a groove 11 in the arm or by other means.

The clamp device further includes an intermediate member 12 which is mounted at one end between the ends of the arms 10a of the yoke 10 by a pivot 13 which extends at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the link arm 7 so that the intermediate member 12 can rock about the axis of the pivot 13 in all rotated positions of the yoke 10.

Carried on the other end of the member 12 is a clamping means, indicated generally at 14, which is arranged to clamp and hold a shaft S of a putter club in fixed position relative to the clamping means. In the form illustrated, the clamping means is a screw 15 rotatable about the axis of the member 12 to adjusted rotated positions and having a hooked outer end 16, which partially embraces the shaft S or club head H at the shaft receiving portion of the club head H. A complementary clamping member 17 is slidable along the screw 15. The member 17 has ajaw portion 18 which, when in clamping position, cooperates with the book 16 to grip shaft S, or the club head, firmly so as to constrain the head H and shaft S from rotation about the shaft axis and from movement axially relative to the clamping means. A suitable wing nut 19 is provided to drive the jaw portion 18 into clamping position and thereby to hole the shaft S and head H in fixed position relative to the intermediate member 12. A jam nut is provided for securing the clamping screw 15 in fixed rotated adjusted position about the longitudinal axis of the member 12. The club is clamped in a position such that, when the arm 7 is generally horizontal, the lower edge of the club head is just clear of the ground and the pivot 6 is about directly beneath the axis of the bearing 3. Generally, in this position, the club head is about 2 A to 3 inches ahead of the vertical plane through the bearings 3. These relations may be varied somewhat to suit the convenience and physical structure of the particular player. Also, in its clamped position, the striking face of the club head H extends across the path of swing at about a right angle thereto in the ball striking position of the head.

The bearings 3 are at a height above the ground near to the lower end of the leather covered hand grip of the club, this height being adequate for most players.

Generally, one size of the present embodiment of the invention is satisfactory. One found very convenient is that in which the pendulum arm 4, measured from the pivotal axis of the bearings 3 to the axis of the pivot 6, is about twenty-two inches, the link arm, from the axis 6 to the yoke 10 is about 6% inches in length, the pivot 13 is from 1% to 2 inches from the pivotal connection of the yoke 10 with the arm 7, and the shaft S is from 2% to 3 inches from the pivot 13.

Variations may be made in this relation, but the relation recited is preferred.

In the structure thus far described, it is apparent that the pendulum arm 4 is constrained at all times to swing about a horizontal axis and the link arm 7 is constrained to swing therewith and concurrently relative thereto about the parallel horizontal axis of the pivot 6. The club shaft S, and therefore the striking face of the head H, can be rocked relative to the arm 7 about one axis, that of the pivot 13, spaced from the club shaft S and from the plane of the striking face of the club head H. Spacing of the pivot 13 from the axis of the shaft S a material distance toward the pivot 6 is important in manipulation of the club and its constraint to proper positions during the swing.

In the above mentioned prior art putter guide, the club striking face can be rocked about a transverse axis extending generally normal to the path of swing and lying substantially in the plane of the striking face of the club. In such a structure, no matter in what manner the club is manipulated, such transverse. axis and the longitudinal axis of the link arm retain the same fixed relation to each other. Consequently, on the backswing the face of the club head always extends directly across the path of swing at right angles thereto. This is true even though the club head is rocked about the axis of the link arm and the transverse axis in its striking face. The head, therefore, does not open up on the backswing.

In the present structure, the rocking axis for the club head H, provided by the pivot 13, is spaced from the striking face of the head H in a direction endwise of the arm 7. This spacing, combined with the pivotal action of the yoke 10 about the axis of the arm 7, makes it possible on the backswing for the club to follow the path of swing while causing the face to open up" at an evermore open angle of slope transversely of the path away from the player. This difference in movement and positioning, as compared to that of the prior art guide above mentioned, is illustrated in FIG. 6, wherein the positions of the head, in the present structure, on the rear portion of the swing path, whether on backswing or forward swing, are indicated by the solid line diagrams a through h. Corresponding positions in the case of the prior art guide are indicated in broken lines. These illustrated positions are viewed looking directlyv down upon the club head H from the standing position of the player.

Here it is to be noted that beginning at d, the bottom of the swing, the club striking face extends at a right angle across the path. The angle changes progressively on slightly from parallel to the position it assumed a the location d as it swings on the forward or follow-through part of the stroke to the position a. On the other hand, as the club recedes from the position d on the backswing, it slopes at different angles across a vertical plane extending along or parallel to the path. This slope de parts increasingly from the right angular position in a direction away from the player toward the'rear of its path of swing as the positions along the backswing are increasingly spaced from the position d, as indicated by the solid line position e through h. This is because of the fact that the pivot 13 is adjusted to a position in which it slopes upwardly and toward the player during operation of the guide, and is spaced from the striking face.

if the yoke 10 is rotated about the axis of the arm 7 so that the axis of the pivot 13 is precisely horizontal, this open-up action is defeated. if the axis of the pivot 13 is vertical, the guide malfunction. With the angle of the upward slope of the pivot 13 toward the player in a range of from about 20 to 35 to the horizontal, the open up" action is proper for most players. The angle may be varied even more to meet unusual requirements of a particular player.

In setting up the putter guide and training device, the shaft S is first clamped by the screw hook l6 and jaw portion 18 with the striking face of the head H, in the ball striking position of the face, generally parallel to a vertical plane through the axis of the bearings 3 and extending at a right angle across the path of swing. The player then assumes his putting stance, rocking the shaft S about the axis of the member 12 so that the arm 7 slopes upwardly toward the players hands at a comfortable angle. The yoke 10 is then rotated about the axis of the arm until the pivot is out of a horizontal position and slopes upwardly toward the player. The player then takes one or two approach and return swings. This changes the angle of the arm 7 relative to the horizontal, and, in turn, causes the yoke 10 to rotate about the axis of the arm 7 whereby the slope of the axis of the pivot 13 upwardly toward the player is self-adjusted to the "opening up" position of the club face.

This slope of the pivot 13 is a function of the angle of the arm 7 relative to the horizontal, of the angle of tilt of the shaft S, and of the position of the clamp or club shaft S along the path of return or approach swing. Once initially self-adjusted, the nut 20 is tightened to secure the clamp and shaft is fixed rotated position relative to the member 12. The yoke 10 then functions properly through repeated swings and to changes in stance. If, after the first setting, further adjustment is desired, the nut is loosened slightly, the yoke 10 rotated to a different angle and the nut 20 retightened. One or two practice swings is generally sufficient for the final adjustment of the slope of the pivot 13 best suited for the particular player.

Another feature should be noted, and that is that the location of the pivotal connection of the yoke 10 to the arm 7 for rotation of the pivot 13 about the axis of the arm 7, should be such as to impose a little drag as possible of the club during putting practice by the player. It has been found that this connection should be set very close to the pivot 13 so that only the clamp and those parts of the device which are close to the club and necessary to support the pivot 13 need to rotate about the axis of the arm 7. This eliminates the necessity of rotating the entire link arm 7.

On the backswing, the club face opens up progressively more from its 90 impact position as the length of the backswing increases. The face is returned to its 90 position transversely of the path of the swing slightly before, or at the instant of, impact depending on the stance of the player, and so remains for a sufficient distance therebeyond on the follow-through so that it does not affect the direction of movement of the ball.

The amount which the face may be dished about an axis extending transversely of, and normal to, the path of swing depends upon the stance of the player; that is, his position along the path of swing relative to the axis of the bearings 3 and his position transversely of the path of swing.

The angle of slope of the pivot 13 will self-adjust to the stance of the player. For a mallet type putter, the player generally stands closer to the pedestal than for other types.

The use of wood for the pedestal reduces elevated and unbalancing weight and provides an extremely simple structure. it is to be noted that if the pivot 13 were close to the pivot 6, the parts to be rocked about the axis of the arm 7 would be large and impose too much drag, thus delaying the response of the device and introducing problems of slack take-up. With the pivot 13 held parallel to the pivot 6, the device would function in much the same manner as the one in the prior art. If the pivot 13 is held vertical, the device becomes generally inoperative. lt self-adjusts the pivot 13 out of the vertical and horizontal to the proper slope on the first or second back stroke.

in practicing, the player can feel the club shaft S twist and yieldably and gently urge his arms and wrists to move without substantial strain through the proper sequence of coordinated movement to deliver a proper driving impact on the ball in the direction preselected by the player.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A putting guide training device comprising:

a base;

a generally upright pedestal on the base;

a rigid pendulum arm having upper and lower ends;

upper pivot means spaced above the base having a horizontal axis extending forwardly and rearwardly of the base and pivotally connecting the upper end of the pendulum arm to the pedestal at a location spaced above the base and constraining the pendulum arm to swing freely in one upright plane, spaced forwardly from the pedestal, from a position at one side of a second upright plane through said axis and normal to said one plane to a position at the opposite side of said second plane;

a link arm;

lower pivot means connecting one end of the link arm to the lower end of the pendulum arm and constraining the link arm to swing with the pendulum arm in said one plane and to swing relative to the pendulum arm about a lower horizontal axis parallel to said horizontal axis;

a clamp device detachably connectable to a golf club and having a club gripping portion; and

additional pivot means connecting the other end of the link arm to the clamp device so that the clamp device is constrained to rock concurrently relative to the link arm about two angularly disposed axes.

2. The structure according to claim 1 wherein pivot supporting means are mounted on, and near the outer end of, the link arm for rotation about the link arm axis, and a transverse pivot is mounted on said pivot supporting means with the axis of the transverse pivot in a plane normal to the rotational axis of the pivot supportmg means.

3. The structure according to claim 1 wherein the additional pivot mean includes a yoke mounted at its base on the forward end of the link arm for rocking about the longitudinal axis of the link arm and having arms extending from its base, forwardly, endwise of the link arm in a direction away from the lower pivot means; and

the club gripping portion is pivotally supported between the arms of the yoke for rocking about an axis normal to said longitudinal axis and spaced forwardly from said base of the yoke.

4. The structure according to claim 1 wherein one of said axes extends transversely of the line of swing of the pendulum arm and normally is inclined upwardly away from said base.

5. The structure according to claim 1 wherein the club gripping portion of the clamp device is adapted to clamp onto the club in spaced relation, endwise of the club shaft, from the striking face of the club.

6. The structure according to claim 1 wherein the additional pivot means includes a transverse pivot with its axis in a plane extending transversely of the axis of the link arm, and a longitudinal pivot withits axis normal to the axis of the transverse pivot, and the transverse pivot is spaced, transversely of its axis, from the club gripping portion of the clamp device.

7. The structure according to claim 6 wherein means connect the clamp device to the transverse pivot for rocking relative thereto about an axis normal thereto and angularly disposed to the axis of the link arm.

8. The structure according to claim 6 wherein said transverse pivot and longitudinal pivot are spaced apart from each other in a direction endwise of the longitudinal pivot.

pivot.

10. The structure according to claim 6 wherein said spacing of the transverse pivot in a direction transversely of its axis is a distance from said club gripping portion such that the striking face of the club gripped thereby is spaced from the axis of the transverse pivot.

* I 1i i 

1. A putting guide training device comprising: a base; a generally upright pedestal on the base; a rigid pendulum arm having upper and lower ends; upper pivot means spaced above the base having a horizontal axis extending forwardly and rearwardly of the base and pivotally connecting the upper end of the pendulum arm to the pedestal at a location spaced above the base and constraining the pendulum arm to swing freely in one upright plane, spaced forwardly from the pedestal, from a position at one side of a second upright plane through said axis and normal to said one plane to a position at the opposite side of said second plane; a link arm; lower pivot means connecting one end of the link arm to the lower end of the pendulum arm and constraining the link arm to swing with the pendulum arm in said one plane and to swing relative to the pendulum arm about a lower horizontal axis parallel to said horizontal axis; a clamp device detachably connectable to a golf club and having a club gripping portion; and additional pivot means connecting the other end of the link arm to the clamp device so that the clamp device is constrained to rock concurrently relative to the link arm about two angularly disposed axes.
 2. The structure according to claim 1 wherein pivot supporting means are mounted on, and near the outer end of, the link arm for rotation about the link arm axis, and a transverse pivot is mounted on said pivot supporting means with the axis of the transverse pivot in a plane normal to the rotational axis of the pivot supporting means.
 3. The structure according to claim 1 wherein the additional pivot mean includes a yoke mounted at its base on the forward end of the link arm for rocking about the longitudinal axis of the link arm and having arms extending from its base, forwardly, endwise of the link arm in a direction away from the lower pivot means; and the club gripping portion is pivotally supported between the arms of the yoke for rocking about an axis normal to said longitudinal axis and spaced forwardly from said base of the yoke.
 4. The structure according to claim 1 wherein one of said axes extends transversely of the line of swing of the pendulum arm and normally is inclined upwardly away from said base.
 5. The structure according to claim 1 wherein the club gripping portion of the clamp device is adapted to clamp onto the club in spaced relation, endwise of the club shaft, from the striking face of the club.
 6. The structure according to claim 1 wherein the additional pivot means includes a transverse pivot with its axis in a plane extending transversely of the axis of the link arm, and a longitudinal pivot with its axis normal to the axis of the transverse pivot, and the transverse pivot is spaced, transversely of its axis, from the club gripping portion of the clamp device.
 7. The structure according to claim 6 wherein means connect the clamp device to the transverse pivot for rocking relative thereto about an axis normal thereto and angularly disposed to the axis of the link arm.
 8. The structure according to claim 6 wherein said transverse pivot and longitudinal pivot are spaced apart from each other in a direction endwise of the longitudinal pivot.
 9. The structure according to claim 8 wherein the longitudinal pivot is near the outer end of the link arm and the transverse pivot is between the longitudinal pivot and the club gripping portion of the clamp device and supports the clamp device for rocking about the axis of the transverse pivot in all rotated positions of the transverse pivot about the axis of the longitudinal pivot.
 10. The structure according to claim 6 wherein said spacing of the transverse pivot in a direction transversely of its axis is a distance from said club gripping portion such that the striking face of the club gripped thereby is spaced from the axis of the transverse pivot. 